Help me build out a Ruger American Gen2

[USAF Ret]

So, I was not planning on getting another rifle, but the PX had a 20% off sale going on and had a Ruger American Gen2 Predator in 308 Win. I got it for $400, no tax. I just could not pass it up. I am wanting to do a chassis hunting rig. Trying to keep it fairly light, maybe 8 lbs with scope. I have been looking at the offerings and right now it looks like KRG Bravo, MDT Field, MDT LSS, and Sharps Bros Heatseeker for chassis'. I am also keeping an eye out for Black Friday scope deals. I would like to keep the scope under 20 oz with a 16x magnification. I do need to pull the action from the stock and weigh it so I know what my limits are. Also, while not a bare bones budget, I do want to keep it lower or I could have ended up buying a rifle already in a chassis system.

Open to suggestions. Anyone done a build like this? Thoughts on components?

 

[NeedleCrook]

just for reference, I have a gen 1 in 6.5 cm with the MDT field stock, which I’m very happy with by the way. I can weigh it later with it stripped, but I’m sitting at 12 lbs with the with stock, hatch bipod, NF nx8 scope, rings, break, arca and pic rail. I could definitely go lighter on all components but I’m happy with everything and don’t mind carrying a heavy rifle when the trade off is more accuracy.

 

[NeedleCrook]

Gen 3 Little Bastard Self Timing Muzzle Brake*

American Precision Arms is very excited to share the release of the Generation 3 Little Bastard. It has been a long time coming but we wanted to make sure everything was perfect before offering something new. The development of APA Gen 3 Little Bastard was the result of American Precision Arms'...

www.americanprecisionarms.com

Also APA breaks are on sale!

 

[SchwarzStock]

I was going to try to build a light-weight folder with a chassis stock using a Rem 700 last year. When I got the Titanium stock from XLR, added a butt stock and equipped it with the same sling/bipod attachments I had on a H-S Precision stock the rifle gained weight. A good portion of the weight on the rifle is the steel trigger guard so I thought the chassis might be at least as light as the H-S since it had its own magazine well cast into the chassis. I can't remember this moment what the chassis model was but it was the shortest one offered.

Until someone makes a folder like the one Robbie Barrkman produced 30 years ago using McMillan stocks I'm going to stick with the H-S and the embedded bedding block. I don't think there is anything to gain with a chassis unless you just like the look of "space guns".

 

[USAF Ret]

Gen 3 Little Bastard Self Timing Muzzle Brake*

American Precision Arms is very excited to share the release of the Generation 3 Little Bastard. It has been a long time coming but we wanted to make sure everything was perfect before offering something new. The development of APA Gen 3 Little Bastard was the result of American Precision Arms'...

www.americanprecisionarms.com

Also APA breaks are on sale!

Thanks, I shoot suppressed though. It comes with a radial brake, which feels like it is welded on.

 

[SchwarzStock]

Just found an old email; it was the Atom

 

[bojangles808]

Gen 3 Little Bastard Self Timing Muzzle Brake*

American Precision Arms is very excited to share the release of the Generation 3 Little Bastard. It has been a long time coming but we wanted to make sure everything was perfect before offering something new. The development of APA Gen 3 Little Bastard was the result of American Precision Arms'...

www.americanprecisionarms.com

Also APA breaks are on sale!

eurooptic has them for under 100 too

 

[USAF Ret]

I was going to try to build a light-weight folder with a chassis stock using a Rem 700 last year. When I got the Titanium stock from XLR, added a butt stock and equipped it with the same sling/bipod attachments I had on a H-S Precision stock the rifle gained weight. A good portion of the weight on the rifle is the steel trigger guard so I thought the chassis might be at least as light as the H-S since it had its own magazine well cast into the chassis. I can't remember this moment what the chassis model was but it was the shortest one offered.

Until someone makes a folder like the one Robbie Barrkman produced 30 years ago using McMillan stocks I'm going to stick with the H-S and the embedded bedding block. I don't think there is anything to gain with a chassis unless you just like the look of "space guns".

I like the adjustability and modularity of a chassis. I have several rifles with standard stock, but had a SIG Cross a while back that I liked but sold. Of course, wishing I hadn't. But, I just wanted more velocity with a longer barrel.

 

[USAF Ret]

I am flexible on weight. Just as light as possible.

 

[zdc1775]

Thanks, I shoot suppressed though. It comes with a radial brake, which feels like it is welded on.

If it's like mine was it's not Loctited on or anything, just a bit of surface corrosion on the threads. Slap it in a barrel vise and either apply heat or give the wrench a tap with a dead blow and it spins right off.

 

[USAF Ret]

If it's like mine was it's not Loctited on or anything, just a bit of surface corrosion on the threads. Slap it in a barrel vise and either apply heat or give the wrench a tap with a dead blow and it spins right off.

I will probably have to take it to a smith. I don't have a barrel vise. Thanks.

 

[zdc1775]

I will probably have to take it to a smith. I don't have a barrel vise. Thanks.

In that case, if you have a standard bench vise, these work fine for this application.

https://www.amazon.com/NO-M-R-Purpose-Polymer-Groove/dp/B012BVM1E8

 

[USAF Ret]

In that case, if you have a standard bench vise, these work fine for this application.

https://www.amazon.com/NO-M-R-Purpose-Polymer-Groove/dp/B012BVM1E8

Purchased. Thanks much!

 

[SchwarzStock]

I have had a lot of luck over the years taking things apart with just a strip of heavy leather. Wrap the leather around the part with the rough side in and clamp it in the vice to hold the part. Never marred the finish using this technique, the leather really grips any irregularities (holes, slot, rust etc.) in the surface of the part on one side the the jaws of the vise on the other.

 

[USAF Ret]

I decided to go with the KRG Bravo. I have owned both the Field Stock and the KRG. The KRG is just a bit more robust. Although a bench stock, it should put me where I want to be with weight. The Ruger Gen 2 is a 6.5 lb rifle. If my calculations are correct, with a scope it should put me around 8.5, maybe a little more.

This will be an elk rifle for a disabled veteran hunt as well as shooting from a ground blind for whitetail, so I won't be lugging it and hiking for miles. I think it will be a nice little setup.

Now for a scope.

 

[USAF Ret]

So, I went ahead and ordered a Timney trigger. The trigger in the rifle can be adjusted down to about 3.5 lbs, but it has a lot of creep and I like to run a trigger at about 2.75. I have a Riton Conquer coming back from repair I can use until I find a lighter weight scope at the price and with the features I want.

 

[USAF Ret]

Just installed the Ruger Gen 2 Predator into a KRG Bravo. With no scope, I am at 7.25 lbs. Right at where I want to be. I have an 18 oz Vortex Diamondback and with the rings, I should be around 8.5. Thanks all.